This work aims to study innovative solutions for energy harvesting applicable toautonomous wireless sensors for IoT (Internet of Things). It is focused on flexiblepiezoelectric composite materials and a multi-physical approach. The objective is to harvestenergy via strain-induced phenomena from both mechanical and thermal sources, andparticularly sources neglected so far (slow and low). The main idea is the hybridization ofdifferent functional materials with the core of the system being screen printed piezo/pyroelectricmicrogenerators, mandatory to generate electrical charges. The originality of thiswork is to realize large area flexible energy harvesting systems by using ink-basedpiezoelectric copolymers of polyvinylidene fluoride P(VDF-TrFE). This material is veryflexible and durable which makes it attractive for applications in systems with complexshapes. Another benefit of P(VDF-TrFE) is that it does not need to be pre-stretched as PVDFand it is now available in inks for printable electronics which can simplify and reduce theprice of the fabrication process.We first describe the fabrication process of the screen printed P(VDF-TrFE)microgenerators, followed by ferroelectric and piezoelectric characterizations. For thispurpose we have developed optimized methods in open-circuit conditions adapted for flexiblesystems tested and validated on commercial bulk PVDF. The last step was to realize a lowprofile thermal flexible energy harvester prototype (no radiator). It was done by hybridizationof the fabricated microgenerators and foils of shape memory NiTi-based alloy, which is afunctional material sensitive to a given temperature threshold.The key outcomes of this work are: 1) the successful deposition of multilayers ofP(VDF-TrFE) and organic PEDOT:PSS electrode, 2) dielectric, ferroelectric and directpiezoelectric constants reported as a function of film thickness, and 3) the g31 direct voltagecoefficient, measured for the first time, and showing the record value of 0.15 V·m/N. Also,we have demonstrated that in open-circuit conditions, the microgenerators can produce auseful strain-induced voltage of 10 V with an energy density close to 500 μJ/cm3, these valuesbeing limited by the experimental set-up.The concept of thermal energy harvesting composite based on thin film screen printedP(VDF-TrFE) microgenerators was realized and demonstrated to be effective. We concludewith a functional prototype of flexible energy harvester, able to detect non-continuous slowthermal events and producing 37 V (corresponding to 95 μJ) at 65 ºC.
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